06 January 2014 - UNODC Executive Director Yury Fedotov has welcomed the appointment of the five new members of the Board of Trustees of the United Nations Voluntary Trust Fund for Victims of Trafficking in Persons.

Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon appointed the following new five board members for three year terms, which run from December 2013 - December 2016:

Dr. Saisuree Chutikul (Thailand)

Ms. Joy Ngozi Ezeilo (Nigeria)

Ms. Benita Ferrero-Waldner (Austria)

Dr. Ketevan Khutsishvili (Georgia)

Ms. Virna Luque Ferro (Panama)

"I welcome the appointment of these distinguished board members, whose considerable experience and expertise will support our efforts to fight modern slavery and help provide humanitarian, legal and financial aid to victims of human trafficking, especially women and children," said Mr. Fedotov.

The Trust Fund was established by the General Assembly in July 2010 to support organizations directly assisting victims of human trafficking. It is funded solely through voluntary contributions from Governments, the business community and people of goodwill. UNODC manages the Trust Fund and the Board of Trustees provides strategic guidance and advice on the Trust Fund and recommendations on proposed projects for funding.

Some $1.5 million have been contributed so far to the Trust Fund, which was channeled through 11 grass-roots organizations around the world to support victims and survivors of trafficking. A charity event with UNODC goodwill ambassador Nicholas Cage in November 2013 raised a further $185,000 for the Trust Fund.

"Good work has been done but not nearly as much as is needed. I look forward to working with the Board of Trustees to do what we can to expand the support provided through the Trust Fund, working with Governments, NGOs and the private sector to end this cruel exploitation and abuse of human rights," said Mr. Fedotov.